nerves are getting the best of me

I have spent the last 9 days at Westminster School for Young Children (which is the new name of the school I work at) getting my classroom ready. I have enjoyed almost every moment of the planning which is good, because that is the tedious part of teaching. I know most of the kids who are going to be in my class from camp this summer....and I have heard some interesting stories about the parents! Needless to say, I have been stressing about a few of them. I don't feel confident or qualified for the job sometimes which is totally irrational. This is pre-school people. I have a Masters in teaching, I have 4 years of teaching experience. I don't know what my problem is....I have been a basket of nerves and of course, everybody can tell because I am horrible at hiding my feelings. One positive aspect about this past week has been planning with my amazing assistant (I do not like calling her that so she will be referred to as my partner!). Her name is Annie; she is a Nashville native; she went to UGA (which is freaking awesome); and she is super organized and NOT ADD so we are really good at accomplishing things! She has an amazing sense of humor, LOVES kids as much as I do, acts like a small child so we get along great, and she is as excited as I am (which is hard to accomplish) to start the year.
This morning was the first meeting with the parents and children. We had 2 sessions this morning, with 4 kids coming to each. I met the most intimidating parent ever this morning...the kind of parent that went to Harvard, asks you about your experience, your training, your qualifications, brags on their child in front of other parents, shows up 25 minutes early for the meeting, and questions your teaching style the first 7 minutes she has entered the room...awesome. However, we made it through, alive and well. I am as excited as ever to have the kids come to school on Friday...WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS (thank goodness.) It is going to be an amazing year and I am getting organized, implementing things that i have learned throughout college courses and many experiences in the classroom, learning a lot about myself, and realizing how important early childhood education really is for children. Teaching is sort of like riding a bike in that sense, it all comes back to you when the time is right, and you remember things that you learned in your first education course when you were a mere freshman in college, and I couldn't be more thankful for that!
Look forward for some absolutely adorable pictures of some youngsters in the coming posts, and pictures of my classroom, of course!
That's all for now, I have to rest up to meet the second round of parents in the morning.

soaking in the last few weeks of summer

this past week i have been able to spend most of my waking hours with bestie burrito sarah wilcox (soon to be flory). we have laid at the pool, had lunch, grilled out, watched movies, and snuggle buggled.

this weekend nathan and i are going home to atlanta. he will be golfing with my dad and brother in law. nathan has been golfing every second that he can. on the bright side, golfing in nashville is pretty inexpensive, about $6 - $11 for 9 holes and about $18 for 18 holes. not so shabby. plus, it gives him a chance to relax and unwind - since it is quite impossible for him to do that with me....good thing i do not like golfing!

yesterday i visited Textile Fabrics and FELL.IN.LOVE. there were so many beautiful prints, my mind was racing with crafty ideas. brittany and i planned a skirt making day. she and i are going to each purchase 1 yard of two different fabrics and come home and sew up some skirts to share! oh the joys of having a roommate! Textile Fabrics inspired me so much that i asked for a sewing machine for Christmas!! hopefully i can learn how to sew a little bit better to make some precious and cheap clothing!

that's all for now -

pool shark!

picture perfect summer

These pictures are from some of the awesome times I had this summer with the most amazing friends EVER!

Bride with her bridesmaids!

Sarah & Daron's Engagement Shower! I had the BEST date there!

best buds!

Kayla, the BEAUTIFUL (and creative) bride!

At the pool with my sleeping baby!

homemade lemon almond ice cream

..i feel like that ice cream flavor is the perfect name to describe my summer, very fresh and fun, and absolutely delicious.

This has been a pretty sensational summer: I graduated with my Master of Arts in Teaching; I have gone on a week long cruise with my family and lover boy; I have laid by the pool for countless hours; I have spent 5 weeks teaching summer camp with the easiest and most well-mannered children in history; I have spent a weekend at home; I celebrated one of my best friend's engagement with an amazing weekend in Birmingham; I spent a whole weekend with my sister and 2 amazing nieces; I was blessed to witness baby Addison's first pool and lake trip; I spent an afternoon at Nashville Shores; I attended the most prefect wedding that was filled with more people who love of the Lord than I have ever been around - it was moving to say the least. This summer still has a few weeks left and I plan to live it up BIG!
I realize that the last time that I have written, I just finished planning Jill's baby shower. Now, Addison Nolan Hickman is 4 MONTHS OLD! I can not believe it.
He is almost too big for the car seat that we purchased for him. He smiles at you, talks to you, and my new favorite is his precious laugh! He is such a joy. Addison doesn't cry, unless it is 91 degrees at a baseball game and it is an hour past his bedtime. He is amazing. I love him!

Here are some more pictures to commemorate the summer!